Tsar

YEKATERINBURG: Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill led some 100,000 people in a nightime procession on Tuesday (Jul 17) to mark 100 years since the Bolsheviks murdered tsar Nicholas II and his family, amid a simmering conflict between the state and the Church over their remains.The procession began in the early hours of Tuesday from the murder site in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg to a monastery commemorating the slain tsar, his German-born wife and five children, regional authorities said.Many of the fervent believers came from across Russia and abroad to take part in the colourful ceremony during which many carried icons.Another 20,000 people joined the commemorations when the procession arrived at the monastery in Ganina Yama after covering the distance of 21 kilometres (13 miles), regional authorities said.The monastery was built at one of the sites where the burnt bodies of the last Russian tsar and his family were taken after their execution in the aftermath of the 1917 Bolshevik … [Read more...] about Tens of thousands mark 100 years since murder of last Russian tsar

MOSCOW: Fresh genetic tests on bones of Russia's last tsar and his family murdered a century ago have confirmed their authenticity, investigators said on Monday (Jul 16).The tests could be a step towards the Russian Orthodox Church finally recognising the bones and burying them with full rites.Genetic tests ordered by the Church - which disputed earlier results - "confirmed the remains found belonged to the former Emperor Nicholas II, his family members and members of their entourage," said the Investigative Committee, which probes serious crime and has been roped in to resolve the long-running debate.The tests involved exhuming Nicholas's father Alexander III, proving "they are father and son," investigators said.The Orthodox Church said it would consider the findings and praised the way the investigation was going.The Bolsheviks shot the abdicated tsar, his German-born wife and their five children along with their servants and doctor on the night from Jul 16 to 17, … [Read more...] about Fresh DNA tests authenticate bones of Russia tsar, family

PARIS: It is a century since the execution of Russia's last tsar and his family after the revolution that established the Soviet Union, a massacre that still raises questions today. Here is a look back at the secret shooting of Nicholas II, his wife and five children in July 1918 and Russia's efforts since then to come to terms with the killings. Revolution In February 1917, at the height of World War I, desperation at troop losses and food shortages caused mass rioting in the imperial capital Petrograd, today called Saint Petersburg. The revolt escalated and thousands joined, leading Nicholas II to deploy the army. But the soldiers mutinied and the little-loved tsar abdicated in March. His departure brought the curtain down on the Romanov dynasty that had ruled Russia for 300 years. A fragile provisional government took over but was quickly overthrown by Vladimir Ilyich Lenin's Marxist Bolsheviks and the Soviet Union was created. Shot in a cellar Nicholas sought asylum, including in … [Read more...] about Russia’s last tsar executed 100 years ago

MOSCOW - A KGB officer turned world leader, Vladimir Putin has stamped his total authority on Russia, silencing opposition and reasserting Moscow's lost might abroad while building a strongman image through macho stunts. Putin, 65, who will be inaugurated as president for the fourth time on Monday, has reimposed the Kremlin's grip on society since taking power 18 years ago after a lawless but relatively free decade following the demise of the USSR. On the international stage, he has dealt with three US presidents, thrust Moscow into a new rivalry with the West by snatching Crimea from Ukraine and launched a pivotal intervention in Syria. Named the world's most powerful person by Forbes for the past 4 years running, the judo black belt has carefully nurtured his image as a powerful leader with photo opportunities showing him riding topless on horseback in the Siberian wilderness and darting an endangered tiger. Supporters laud him as a savior who restored pride and traditional … [Read more...] about News
Vladimir Putin: Russia’s post-Soviet tsar

The 65-year-old former KGB officer has reimposed the Kremlin's grip over society since taking power 18 years ago after a lawless but relatively free decade following the demise of the USSR. On the international stage, he has outlasted three US presidents to become one of the globe's undisputed strongmen, thrusting Moscow into a new rivalry with the West by snatching Crimea from Ukraine and launching a pivotal intervention in Syria. Named the world's most powerful person by Forbes for the past four years running, the judo black belt has built a macho man image helped by publicity stunts that included riding topless on horseback through the Siberian wilderness and darting an endangered tiger. Bolstered by a slavish state media, he is projected to take around 70 percent of the vote by official pollsters, despite producing no programme and refusing to take part in televised debates. Supporters laud him as … [Read more...] about Putin: Russia’s post-Soviet tsar